McCall is heading into turbulence at easyJet

David Wighton: Business Editor’s commentary

Thursday March 25 2010, 12.01am, The Times

David Wighton: Business Editor’s commentary

Thursday March 25 2010, 12.01am, The Times

The board of easyJet has now appointed a chief operating officer from AOL, a chief financial officer from EMI and a chief executive from the Guardian Media Group — do they realise they are running an airline? What next? Move the head office from Luton Airport to Soho?

Budget airlines are all about operational efficiency and cost control. Yet the executive team at easyJet is beginning to resemble an advertising agency. The appointment yesterday of Carolyn McCall as chief executive raised eyebrows even higher in the City as she has spent the past 24 years in the rarefied world of The Guardian.

Ms McCall is highly regarded and good managers can move sectors very effectively. But it is going to be one heck of a